Recent Posts in the Family Law Category

• Pet Custody in Washington

  Sep 7, 2023
  As many people develop a deep connection with their pets and treat them as an essential part of their family, the matter of which spouse gets to keep the pet after a divorce can be a contentious legal issue. Unlike children, there are no “ custody ” laws in the state of Washington for pets because they are considered property under the law. When spouses can't reach an agreement on who should have custody of the pet, judges will generally award the pet to the spouse who was mostly responsible for taking care of it. If there ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
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• Understanding the Gray Divorce Phenomenon

  Sep 1, 2023
  Divorce can be a stressful life event for anyone, regardless of age. While there is a common and widely held belief that half of marriages end in divorce, this is not a fact—partly because the divorce rate is challenging to measure due to variances in a range of factors, from timing to generational differences to geographic location. In reality, research shows that the divorce rate peaked at 41% in the 1980s and has been in a slow but steady decline ever since. However, this isn’t the case for older U.S. couples. Since 1990, ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
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• Explaining an Absent Parent to a Child After Divorce

  Aug 29, 2023
  While divorce is a stressful experience for anyone, children are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of ending a marriage. From behavioral problems to emotional dysregulation to academic struggles, it can be exceedingly difficult to care for little ones when moms and dads are barely hanging on by a thread themselves. Fortunately, there are ways to stay connected and support children after divorce. In this blog, we’ll review some essential tips for co-parents to help their children adjust to single parenthood or ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
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• McKinley Irvin Welcomes Joel C. Odimba, Jr.

  Aug 14, 2023
  McKinley Irvin is pleased to announce that family law attorney Joel C. Odimba, Jr. has joined the firm in our Seattle office. Joel represents clients in all family law matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, legal separation, LGBT family law, and domestic violence. Named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers® every year since 2020, Joel has been consistently recognized by his peers for his legal acumen and achievements. Carving out an impressive legal resume, his contributions include leadership roles within the ...
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• 24 McKinley Irvin Attorneys Named to 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

  Jul 31, 2023
  We are proud to announce that 24 of McKinley Irvin’s family law attorneys have been included in the 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists, setting a new firm record. Brent Bohan, Brian Edwards, and Liz Hoffman-Graff were named Super Lawyers for the first time, and Hillary Dawn, Eric Leavitt, Anne Marggraf, and Margaret Quartararo made their inaugural appearance on the Rising Stars list. Portland attorney, Jack Dekovich, was included in both the Oregon and Washington lists. Partners David Starks and Jennifer Payseno were ...
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• Inheritance and Divorce

  Jul 28, 2023
  People contemplating or going through divorce frequently wonder which assets are subject to property division and which are not. For example, many individuals often question if an inheritance is divisible in a divorce. Inheritances Not Divided as Community Property in Divorce In most cases, inheritances are not subject to equitable distribution in a divorce since they are not considered community property. Rather, inheritances are considered separate properties, meaning an inheritance belongs to the person who received the ...
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• Common Child Custody Violations in Washington State

  Jul 21, 2023
  When it comes to divorce and other family law disputes, having children can significantly heighten the stakes for couples. Preparing to become a co-parent—especially with an ex-spouse—can be a daunting prospect. When determining child custody in a divorce or child custody dispute , family courts help couples establish legally enforceable terms through child custody arrangements to ensure that the child is well cared for, regardless of ill will or disagreements that may arise between co-parents. It’s vital for co-parents to ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
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• Chambers Recognizes McKinley Irvin and Partners in 2023 High Net Worth Guide

  Jul 20, 2023
  We are proud to share that Jennifer Payseno, David Starks, and McKinley Irvin have been ranked in the prestigious Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide for 2023. A leading legal rankings company, Chambers delivers detailed insight into the world’s top lawyers and law firms. The 2023 High Net Worth Guide identifies and ranks the best lawyers, law firms, and professional advisors globally for international private wealth. Law firms and individual lawyers are ranked in bands from 1 (highest) to 6. Being ranked in any band ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
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